Social Work

Social work is a career in which you can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives!

A-State’s Social Work Program offers both Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees in Social Work and is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. There are two levels of professional practice for social workers. Social workers with the BSW degree are generalist practitioners and use a problem-solving, planned change approach to resolve a wide range of problems with micro, mezzo, and macro level client systems. Social workers with the MSW degree are specialists in areas of advanced practice such as clinical social work. Clinical social workers diagnose and treat more serious mental, behavioral, and emotional issues. There are many career opportunities for social workers, both BSWs and MSWs, to work in a variety of settings including mental health clinics, schools, and hospitals.

The BSW graduates receive a professional degree that prepares students for generalist social work practice, which enables graduates to be licensed by the state. Having a BSW degree may reduce the amount of time and expense required for a Master’s degree. BSW graduates are eligible for a one year accelerated MSW program.

A-State's graduate degree in social work emphasizes trauma infused cognitive behavioral therapy because research has shown that many life difficulties stem from early trauma, abuse, or neglect. Students can also complete a certificate in Addictions Studies while completing their MSW. Full and part-time plans of study are offered.

Social work education is a competency-based approach that prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and values required for professional practice. The Department of Social Work systematically evaluates student achievement and development to assure that graduates are competent for generalist and advanced social work practice. To review the Department's Assessment Reports, click here.

"It was great to have representatives of Arkansas State University at the conference! Thanks for your participation and thanks for being the first GASI members to earn Continuing Education Credits in social work through our partnership with The Catholic University of America's National Catholic School of Social Work."- James Pomfret, Executive Director of Global Awareness Society International

The Arkansas Academic Partnership in Public Child Welfare is a statewide collaboration among nine Arkansas universities and the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The goals of the partnership focus on the professional development of students and child welfare workers to improve child welfare practice.